Page 42 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘I can tell by your face that things are looking good,’ he said.
‘Very good.’ A happy tear slipped down my cheek. ‘Oh, Xander, he actually squeezed my hand. I think Dad’s coming back to me.’
‘That’s great to hear.’ He drew me into a hug and I buried my face in the solid comfort of his shoulder.
‘Your shirt,’ I murmured. ‘It’s getting wet and covered in make-up.’
‘Don’t worry.’ He tightened his hold. ‘There’s this amazing invention called a washing machine.’
I chuckled softly. Xander was making no move to release me, and I was glad because the solid, comforting feel of him was exactly what I needed. So I closed my eyes happily and allowed myself to feel good in his arms.
He dropped a featherlight kiss on my head and I smiled and snuggled closer, my arms more firmly around his waist, thinking how lucky I was I to have him in my life. Dana must have been really cut up when they finished. You would be if you lost a gorgeous man like Xander. And hewasgorgeous.
His shirt was rucked up a little at the back and as we shifted position a little, my hand made contact with his bare skin. I felt him react and I pulled away gently so I could smile up at him and say sorry.
But when I met his gaze, I felt my heart lurch with longing.
His dark eyes were filled with such intense emotion that the apology froze on my lips. I wanted to look away but I couldn’t. My legs felt weak and I had the strangest feeling that if Xander wasn’t holding me against him, I’d simply flop to the floor like a ragdoll...
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I was aware of nothing in that moment, except for his eyes... the curve of his lips... the tantalising male scent of him...
A feeling of deep desire took over, and feeling a little unsteady, I swayed backwards and Xander caught me firmly against him.
The sudden movement broke the spell between us and I laughed. And after a second, so did he.
‘Sorry about that. I thought I was going to faint there,’ I mumbled.
‘I’m glad I was here to catch you.’
‘Me, too.’
An announcement came over the loud-speaker system. And that’s when we remembered where we were and that people were staring at us, caught in a romantic clinch in the middle of the hospital reception area!
We moved apart and I cleared my throat. ‘So, anyway, the news is good. But Dad’s asleep now so I guess I’d better go and get some sleep myself so that I can come back here in the morning.’
Xander nodded. ‘Good plan. Come on.’
He took my hand and we walked together to the entrance. And it occurred to me then that being with Xander made me feel safe in a way that being with Les never had.
With Les, I’d always been a little on edge, half-expecting him to do or say something that would unsettle me. I hadn’t realised it at the time but I’d been continually walking on eggshells.
The feeling of being with Xander was so different. It was light and breezy – and fun. And I didn’t have to worry that he was watching my every word, waiting to correct me because it made him feel good to be superior.
Xander was self-assured and relaxed in his own skin.
He didn’t need to feel superior . . .
The feeling of my hand tucked firmly in his as we walked out to the car was giving me a floaty, breathless feeling inside, as if at any moment, my feet might leave the ground and we’d soar into the night sky together!
On the drive back, my phone pinged and it was an email from Clara.
When I saw what she’d written, delighted laughter burst out of me and I turned to Xander. ‘I don’t believe it. Clara’s just offered me the job!’
‘Hey, well done. That’s brilliant.’
‘Thanks.’ I beamed at him. ‘She’d like me to start as soon as possible, which is fine by me. The sooner I start earning, the sooner I’ll be able to start getting Dad and me out of our financial hole.’
